DEVOURING VOID is a promising up and coming Black Metal trio hailing from the blackest depths of Canada whose music is synonymous with misanthropy and darkness. The following interview was done with vocalist/guitarist A.R.
Greetings A.R.! Tell us a little bit about the formation of Devouring Void and how its evil seed came into being.
AR: It began as a brain child of mine in mid 2015. I was in another band (which I won't name) and knew it wasn't going to last so I decided to start planning a new band out. I was writing riffs for this project as early as 2013-2014 before I had the name, "Devouring Void", which came to me in 2015. As much as I did write many riffs for this band years and years ago (which will be on upcoming releases), it was always kept on the backburner because I was too busy with other projects. Then in 2019, I teamed up with KB one day. KB had always been a good friend of mine for years, and listened to all the right stuff to be in a project like Devouring Void. One day we decided to do something productive when we hung out and perhaps jam riff ideas together. It ended up turning into us working on full songs within that first little meet up. In the summer of 2019, our soon to be drummer K.H. was doing a big move, ended up moving into the downstairs of the house I lived in at the time. This guy like KB, had all the right tastes and influences when it came to black metal, and knew his shit completely when writing his own drum parts. Having K.H compelete this black metal trio made this entity go from a project to a legitamate and productive band. We are three guys who get along perfectly, have all the right aligning tastes and influences and have prior experience in being in a band.
What are your main influences and how would you describe your sound?
AR: We are three dudes who play black metal in the vein of Darkthrone, Beastcraft, Katharsis, with a little bit of Australian black thrash sprinkled in. We also worship 80's speed and all the first wave bands. Our main priority as a band is the quality of riffs, hooks and overall songwriting. We love to playing at ripping fast tempos but every so often, switching shit up to a mid paced gallop, like the ones that can be heard on the "Blood Fire Death" album by Bathory.
Do you see playing this type of music as an outlet that prevents you from going on a killing spree?
AR: Yes that, or some sort of self destruction. It's what keeps us sane. All three of us are lifers in what we do in terms of playing music, having gotten into true metal at very young ages.
Tell us about your debut EP ‘’Septic Fluid Dripping From the Open Wounds of Gaia’’ and what inspired the title? Is it based on a concept? Also, how long were you working on the material?
AR: Many bands think of ways they can blasphemize a certain deity as a form of lyrical themes. We as Devouring Void decided not to touch religion at all, so for this title, I Just wanted to have something over the top, but attacking something very real. Gaia, whos is the greek goddess of the Earth felt natural to go after. This band is all about total negativity, and ending of all life. The earth is what gives us life on a collective basis. Consider the general themes of this band as self destruction, and then destruction of all, simultaneously. Desecration of the collective consciousness.
The first track on the EP opens with an audio sample from the Jonestown massacre. Why did you include this particular sample? Also, what’s your stance on the whole incident and cult leaders like Jim Jones?
AR: Because it's vile, horrific and 100% real. You very much are hearing approximately 900 people kill themselves, or being forced into suicide, also as a bonus... royalty free! What better way to open a misanthropic black metal EP, than to hear the sound of 900 dying? My stance on the situation? It's an event of human atrocity like any other. A man corrupted by his own paranoias and position of authority. If I'm not mistaken, Jones' paranoias of the US government was further amplified by his abuse of prescription medications.
What are some of your interests outside of playing music?
AR: Horror games, martial arts, weird history, animals, nature.
Are there any labels in particular that you would like to work with in the future?
AR: preferably a good mid-tier label. Definitely could not see this project working with any major label.
What are 10 albums in the realm of Black and Death Metal you can’t live without?
AR:
Darkthrone- under a funeral moon
Katharsis- 666
Possessed- 7 churches
Excoriate- On Pestilent Winds
Beastcraft- Baptized In Blood And Goatsemen
Bathory- The Return
Merciless- The Awakening
Bestial Warlust- Blood & Valor
Sarcofago- INRI
Autopsy- Severed Survival
How do you see your sound progress on future recordings? What can we expect?
AR: a way more evolved Devouring Void, but consistent with the original sound and concept of the band. Same old school vein riffs, just executed with more hooks, more interesting song structure, and more dynamics.
If your music was a weapon, what would it resemble?
AR: A giant portal in the sky that swallowing and crushing all life as a whole.
What are some of your favourite albums from 2019-2021?
AR: That Hexorcist demo that came out this year blew my head off. Also Diabolic Night's debut full length is fantastic. Amazing to hear those songs with real drums. Cannot wait for Hexorcist's debut album.
Also Terrestrial Hospice's "Indian Summer Brought Mushroom Clouds" is masterfully executed second wave worship black metal. Oath of Cruelty's debut album most certainly deserves a mention as well, amazing guitar work and guitar tone.
Your thoughts on the current state of the underground?
AR: It's fantastic if you're looking in all the right places?
Lastly, what are your future plans for Devouring Void and when can we expect new material? Thanks for your time.
AR: We're in the process of tightening up the new songs for our upcoming full length. We are hoping to have something out by the end of this year or early 2022.
Thank you for this interview, have an excellent day!